Europe’s hot hatches appeared in the 1970s, were big throughout the 1980s, and sort of faded away in the 1990s when the Continent’s industry shoved sensitive, “bio-designed” family cars down the throats of consumers.

But hopped-up hatches have returned to the scene in the Old World, and one of our favorites is the Abarth Punto, which has just debuted in Supersport form. It is the last in a line of fast, front-wheel-drive Fiat subcompacts that started with the Fiat 127 Sport in 1978 and was carried forward with the Uno Turbo, the Punto GT Turbo, and the Punto HGT. For a few years, Fiat had no high-powered Punto, but a high-powered Grande Punto returned under the Abarth moniker in 2007.

The Abarth Punto Supersport’s 1.4-liter, Garrett GT1446–turbocharged engine is rated at 177 horsepower, which is served up at 5750 rpm. Maximum torque is 199 lb-ft at 2500 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 62 mph takes a claimed 7.5 seconds, while top speed is 134 mph. Fuel consumption is rated at 39 mpg in the European cycle, which likely is unrealistic.

Visually, the Punto Supersport is distinguished by 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 215/45 tires and an upgraded interior with sport seats and gray and black accents. The brakes are upgraded as a matter of course, but further brake and chassis upgrades supplied by Brembo and Koni are available. They’ll turn the Abarth Punto Supersport into a fast, nimble, and hard-charging subcompact.

Competition for this aggressively styled Punto includes the Volkswagen Polo GTI, the SEAT Ibiza Cupra, the Renault Clio RS, and the Peugeot 208 GTi. But its closest rival is the Opel Corsa OPC, as the Punto and the Corsa share a platform borne from the dissolved Fiat-GM tie-up. At 189 or an available 207 horsepower, GM’s little racer outmuscles not only its Italian relative, but also every other car in its category. The Abarth, on the other hand, scores top marks on style and emotion.